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Bad crash in carretera austral - need advice and contacts!!!
I had a bad crash in Carretera austral. Frontal shock beemer vs a KTM 990 adventure coming out of a bend on the wrong side of the road and totally out of control! I didn´t stand a chance!
I ´m more or less ok but my beemer is not! I am now in Coyhaique and need the following: - finding a good workshop in Coyhaique or nearest to rebuild my wheel - new rim for my BMW F650GS front wheel and spokes - new fork bridge - how can I check if my forks are bent? Is there an easy way? If someone can advise on any of these and can provide contact names etc would really appreciate. Many thanks, |
Hi Maria,
Sorry to hear about your mishap, but I'm glad that you are ok. To check the fork legs you remove them, then clamp the lower (aluminium) part in a vice. Position something close to the end of the chromed tube and turn the tube. If it is bent it will be obvious to see. However, if you can't see any damage without this procedure, then straightening out a bent tube is normally possible with a hydraulic press. Don't let anybody attempt this who has never done it before, as it is easy to damage the tube's surface. Good luck! Peter. |
Hi Maria I'm a huge fan of your sites, I'm sorry about your accident.
But in all probability if you can't actually see if they are bent then I bet they have just moved a little in the triple clamp, undo everything the entire length of the fork to make the forks a little loose wriggle them about twist the shiny parts and then re-tighten. Easy way to see if your forks are bent is: Take apart froks. Stand one up vertically. Get a piece of string with a washer or nut at the bottom. And hold it against the forks, slowly twist fork around it's axis. Repeat for the other fork. See gravilty can be our friend sometimes. Easy and is a non techie way to check, I actually had to use this method when I had my off in Italy. So what happened to the KTM, and is he paying for your repairs? Because there's a BMW breakers yard about 30 miles away from me in Macclesfield England, and I don't mind going down there to pick up the required parts and ship then to you, I sent a Centre stand for a R1200 to Oz and the difference between me sending it and the shop was £140. Like I said you only have to ask, here's the shops website Cheshire Motorcycle Salvage Motorcycle Parts & spares online! Lee |
Maria
Great you are OK. Take care of yourself first.
We are standing by, use HUBB or e-mail direct if we can source parts at BMW dealers here in Buenos Aires. Don't be shy. Are you in Chile or Argentina now? Shipping by bus is easy within Argentina. Will ask *Jeff for answers to technical questions as soon as he wakes up. He will be touring again very soon and has been exhausting himself saying goodbye to close friends. (*see Buy/Tour/Sell thread) We will help in any way we can. xfiltrate, Elisa and Jeff and all of the Buenos Aires community. |
Guys thanks for the fast answers and offers of help, I really appreciate!
The guy on the KTM is fine and so was his bike. He is happily off on his trip once again. Lucky he was part of a tour and they had a support vehicule so we waited for it to trail the bike to Coyhaique. For paying for repairs, we did a police statement and he had insurance. God knows what that is worth here! And as it is saturday no chance to speak to anyone of the insurance until monday at least! Anyway most urgent is finding spare parts and a competent mechanic workshop to rebuild the wheel. Ed/Lisa and Lee, I may take on your offer of help. I need to speak with BMW in Santiago first see what they say on spare parts, and to MotoEscar in Punta Arenas. If Gonzalo can rebuild my wheel over there, I would get all shipped to his workshop. Anyway lots of things to check first but will let you know! Thanks again! Maria |
Bike repairs
Hola Maria,
glad you managed to walk away from the accident. It's a beautiful route through there but potentially hazardous. I would be surprised if your forks are still straight if your rim is in such bad shape and if your bridge is damaged. Whip them out and if it isn't obvious, even putting a straight edge along the chrome staunchion should show up any deflection. You might want to consider having a complete secondhand wheel sent out. Could be less hassle than trying to have a new rim laced to your old hub in Coyhaquie. It's a nice town but could still prove difficult to get this done there. You'll probably want to be moving again soon enough. Good luck mate Jeff (with Ed and Elisa in BA) |
Wow, this will be a crazy story to tell when you get back home. If you have something shipped make sure to do lots of research on your shipping method ahead of time. Otherwise you will be stuck waiting like me right now.
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Fork brace:
A welding shop should be able to fab one. It's a simple part. Wheel and spokes: If the spokes aren't bent, you will reuse them. If only a couple are bent, they can be removed and you can ride carefully. Unless the rim/wheel is really cratered, a good bicycle shop should be able to heat and poud it into useable shape. A new, bare 19" rim might be available in a large city. Your spokes are the key to all this.... If the forks aren't bent really bad, will compress and rebound, and the axle fits with wheel able to turn freely, I'd just ride on. My first thoughts would be to cobble the bike back together so you can continue traveling. |
Holey crap !!
Glad your ok Maria, thats the important thing... If theres anything I can do contact me.. Bent forks... Like the others said, you can also tell by turning them in a strong light and looking for colour variations. If your wheel hub is ok, then yo should be able to have it built onto any other 19 or maybe 21" rim. As for the fork bridge, your probably best off getting one from Santiago or even the UK.. Its a bad few days for bikers at the moment. I lost my wallet, passport and all bike documents on the RTA40 and crashed again and broke my other pannier. Im now stuck in San Julian caus theres a fuel strike.. Also, i hear that a British guy died in Tierra del fuego. Hit by a truck :( |
Wowww Maria!
Is there any chance you could upload here a few pictures of the pieces you are talking?
There is a unique guy here who can bend back rims and alu pieces. I know BA is far but the best mechanics are here.Maybe sending those with truck?Or expedition service? Or taking bus with the parts????? Lucky you are safe!!!! Saludos KH |
I'm in Coyhaique
Maria:
Lorenz and Sebastian and I are in Coyhaique right now - all three of us are right now at the Cafe Camello Restaurant doing the internet thing (closes in 20 minutes). Lorenz and Sebastian are staying at the Hostel Natte, I'm at Hostel Salamandra a couple km from there. tell us where you are at - we'll do what we can. MotoAventura up in Osorno specializes in BMW's for their tours - sells lots of stuff - they may have some competent local mechanic that can help out, or maybe a spare wheel or whatever else you may need laying around off one of their 650's. write to Sonia at Chile motorcycles rent,Motorcycle rental agencies|Ciudad Chile use the 'contact us' page for her email address(es). |
Chuck we´ll see you tonite !
Ted, it seems that your trip is as eventful than mine! You must do a speach at Ripley when back home! I am already booked for my presentation in July, so that I can entertain the crowds! Guys thanks for advices! The wheel is beyond repairs. I also need new forks, fork bridge, handle bar, mirror, and I was advised to replace the head baring as well. I bloody hope the insurance of the guy will pay, if not blood will be spilled! I will pursue KTM boy around latin america por payment :gunsmilie: Anyway, just stuck in Coyhaique for some time but I´ve been lucky! Apart for bad bruises I have nothing! Anyone passing over send me an email! |
Coyhaique is quite relaxed. Try the "Bomberos" (Fire squad) canteen for a great meal at budget prices ;-)
Jeez, I can imagine how you feel. I had a bloody close miss in Oz a short while ago, when a Range Rover came careening around a bend on a rough gravel road at top speed, more on my side than on his. His and my mirror was shattered, my handprotector broken. So he must have missed my handlebar by micro-millimeters.... Good luck for the rest of the journey! Hans |
Maria, glad you are okay. That bike and you have a lot of survival stories. Too bad you didn't find my Harley when you looked. You could have taken the front end from it. I am sure someone else has by now! I am not familiar with your bike, but you might be surprised what might be able to be grafted on from an old Jap bike, if necessary, and if insurance does not come through. I once put an entire 1973 Honda 500 (metric sizing) front end on a 1969 Harley Davidson (American sizing) just by changing the lower triple tree steering stem.
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Can you please give more info Are you sure this is true ??? Thanks few mates there at the moment regards joe |
shocking news but glad you are ok.
i know that motoaventura were on tour in TDF last week or very recently anyhow. who knows they might even be able to move your bike back to their workshop in osorno or help somehow - they had a support vehicle. as you prob know they use 650s. Chile motorcycles rent,Motorcycle rental agencies|Ciudad Chile cheers, andy (we met in punta arenas few weeks ago) |
Motoaventura is the best in the Chilean south for a BMW.
If you need parts contact to BMW Chile in Williamson Balfour Motors S.A. or www.wbm.cl (Williamson Balfour Motors) If the other have insurance don't fix your folks, change it, allways is better. |
It´s always useful and time saving to already have the part numbers when you call for parts. The links will show parts diagram. Here´s one source:
MAX BMW Motorcycles - Parts Fiche. 866-MAX-BMW1 F650GS Dakar : MAX BMW Motorcycles - Parts Fiche F650GS : MAX BMW Motorcycles - Parts Fiche Model: F650DAKAR Diagram #36_0448 No Part Number Description Qty Each 01 36317656487 spoke wheel front (1,60X21) BUY 1 $690.00 02 36317650053 wheel hub, front, cpl. with bearings BUY 1 $291.00 03 31422314724 grooved ball bearing (17X40X12) BUY 2 $12.90 04 36312345821 spacer bushing, front BUY 2 $10.00 05 36217654448 wheel rim front (1.60X21 DAKAR) BUY 1 $318.00 06 36217654449 spoke front left (L=250MM DAKAR) BUY 18 $2.30 06 36217654450 spoke front right (L=253MM DAKAR) BUY 18 $2.30 07 36312345808 nipple BUY 1 $1.50 08 36312345823 spacer bushing, plug-type axle BUY 1 $10.00 09 36317650586 axle shaft front BUY 1 $55.75 10 07119902384 shaft seal (AS25X40X7) BUY 1 $7.00 11 36317661196 spacer bushing, exterior BUY 1 $16.00 12 36311451959 balance weight (10G) BUY 10 $3.10 12 36311451960 balance weight (20G) BUY 10 $3.20 12 36311451961 balance weight (30 G) BUY 10 $3.20 12 36311454310 balance weight (15 G) BUY 10 $3.20 13 36311231871 tire flap BUY 10 $34.00 |
Hi Maria,
I had a big crash south of Coyhaeque on my Africa Twin in early 2005. I have every sympathy for you and hope you are feeling ok. It is not the most fun place to be stuck - I was there for 21 days waiting for my arm to fix and get the bike fixed. There is a very good guy called Paolo who will be able to help you - his workshop is close to the center of the town but I cannot recall the road - but only 200m or so from the octagon in the centre. The good news is that you have a BMW - guess the parts are more readily available than the Honda bits I needed. Mine was the big one you don't want to have - a complete write off were it not for stubborn determination that this was my trip and would not be given up without a fight. I needed a new front end shipped over from the UK - forks, wheel, bars,lights brakes etc. I was lucky enough to have a friend who found the exact bits for £400 (used) and then shipped then with DHL to Santiago. Be warned that trying to get them shipped elsewhere is likely to be very difficult. Customs proved problematic but ultimately settled on about $50. Paolo did a good job with limited resources - he is a general mechanic but does moto cross. He managed to do a great patch job on my bike that got me all the way round on my trip. The most difficult problem was a bent frame and damaged stock. I have no doubt with what you describe that he can help. Shipping to BA/Santiago etc may be prohibitively expensive. If you find him please say hello. I will always be indebted to him. Good luck Maria. Let me know if you need any info from me. I should be on line quite a bit in the coming week or two. Matt |
Hi guys, thanks for all the info.
We contacted BMW Balfour in Santiago but they kept ignoring my phone calls and emails (and I speak fluent spanish so it is not language problem!) As you can see BMW dealers around the world are consistently the usual useless twats! I spoke with Sonia from MotoAventura but they had no parts. I found Jose Meyer from BMM / Andes adventure Tours in Santiago (HAmish and Em thanks for putting their contact details in the HUBB!!!!!!). They are being very helpful. They ordered the parts (via BMW Balfour! Go figure!) Anyway it seems I am going to be stuck here for at least 3 more weeks while I wait for parts from Germany and my wheel to be rebuilt. We tried to get stuff from USA and Europe but been put off by custom issues. Won´t save time or money in the end! MAtt we found Pablo in the high street. HE is very helpful. Total destruction of my bike is: we need to replace: - chrome part of the forks - fork seals - lower triple clamp on the steering tower - head race bearings - front wheel rim and spokes - fork bridge & mirror. Total cost: over 1500 pounds for parts only. Insurance in South america is not covering anything! We are trying to get some money from the KTM owner. We´ll see. If we get nothing, he will publicly named and shame in all motorcycles and videos websites in north america and Europe so that any one on motorbike or future TV or video employer can find who he is! :mad2: We are also going to investigate with a lawyer the liability of the tour company that the guy was with. We could get them fork out for the irresponsible way KTM boy was riding. They must have known that he had insufficient insurance and that most guys on that tour were dangerous on bikes, considering taht they were crashing all the time (Details and photos my blog soon) Cheers, Maria |
Hi Maria,
I am glad you found Pablo. I think you can fix this up in Coyhaeque with his help and avoid costly transportation of the bike. The first step is to get the parts shipped out asap to Santiago. I went to collect the package in Santiago (30kg!) to avoid customs trouble. This saved a good few days of grief as I was able to put some pressure on and get the package cleared very quickly. The trick is to send the parts as "used motor cycle parts" if new the customs guys are going to want more money. Maybe lots more. I'm sure someone can help regarding second hand parts - could save you a good amount. Interesting to hear about BMW dealers. Makes me wonder why anyone actually buys one. Similar story with the Honda dealers though when I needed help but the africa twin is less common.... Good luck with the insurance issue. I wouldn't count on it though. Did you have to hand over your license to the police there? I did and they still have it despite the assurance that this would be dealt with quickly. I spent some time looking into the legal aspects of my crash and simply decided the best idea was to forget it. British embassy was completely useless too - not at all interested in helping. Good luck and saludos to Pablo. I wish you well during what is a most trying experience. Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Matt |
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Thank we have the dakar (my husband´s bike)to use as sample as my fork bridge is splattered around carretera austral! All parts have been ordered with BMM and it is just a matter of waiting for them. Lucky we have the Dakar, so we may take few days off to ride 2-up to Futelefu for a week and come back - if we can find a place to store the excess luggage! MAybe we will be lucky and KTM boy will do the right thing and pay us fro the costs? WEll I´ve seen stranger things happen. I have his parents address in Canada, I checked in Google so can phone them etc... heheheh!!!!! |
Hi Maria,
Just read your report and seen the pictures. Pablo is certainly the man to fix this - he worked a miracle on my AT and one day I will go back and thank him personally. It is great that he remembers me but I guess there are not too many of us who come calling. As the KTM boy is a Canadian I reckon you might just get some money from him - particularly as he admitted responsibility. Whether a police report would help I can't believe it would. I met a New Zealander who frequents the HUBB from time to time elsewhere in South America who had a big bike vs bike crash. Once the police got involved it was a complete nightmare although the other motorcyclist was badly injured. I wish you both the best of luck down there. It seems a great place to spend a couple of days but a complete hell after 3 weeks. Suerte Matt |
Hi Maria,
Good to hear you are ok. I was sorry to hear of your crash. Ir only just occurred to me that I have a contact in Mendoza, chairman of the Harley club there but access to a couple of good BMW mechanics. However that is another border away and it appears you have some good people helping you. Still, if you need someone to do a favour or check some parts or want some authorised/expert service to be done in Mendoza, he could assist/book it in. josh dot forde at yahoo dot com if you want phone details and an intro. your adventure gets more interesting and intrepid all the time. Maybe you and Ted could go on a speech tour when you get back with tales from the road! Josh |
If Jose Meyer is in your help you are in good hands, he is a very good person. When you contact him call him Josie, as their friends knows him! Also is the best BMW mechanic here in Santiago.
And better, probably Josie can import the new parts directly from Germany, cheaper than Williamson Balfour, that is one of the most expensive BMW in the world. |
Josh thanks for the offer. We may stop in Mendoza if we have time!
For now, Jose Meyer and Rafael have ordered the parts for us and they will rebuild my wheel. My bike should be hopefully ready by end of next week latest. DiasdePlaya, as you said, Jose and Rafael have been really nice people to deal with and very helpful. BMW was not interested when they found out we were in Coyhaique. Maybe due to payment issues? I am still waiting for them to reply to my emails and phone call! Cheers, |
Maria,
BMW is the worst bike seller here in Chile. You don't know how many BMW fanatics are selling their bikes because the bad service and the inflated prices. In other hand parallel importers like Riky Godoy and independent services like Josie Meyer are doing good business selling bikes and parts imported directly from Germany. Good to read that your problems are close to be solved. If you and Alistar come to Santiago write me. Many bikers here have interest to meet foreings bikers, and every Wensday in different bars we meet to talk about bikes and chat. You can select what kind of bikers do you prefer to meet, but all are nice people. Or if you prefer something more quiet you can come to my house, my wife and I will appreciate your visit and my children would practice their English :) |
Hostel Help
Maria and Alistar,
Great journaling! I was in La Paz also this summer, but 3 days later. Stayed in the Hostal Torino. Am planning a 40-day moto trip Cuzco to Cuzco with friends and I need some info on hostels in Chachapoyas that are not "hostal" to riders. Can you remember where you stayed? Toby |
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